BENGALURU: Media house HT Media announced a 17 per cent growth in PAT numbers to Rs 47.5 crore in Q1-2014 as compared to Rs 40.7 crore in Q1-2013. The company's total revenues were up 11 per cent at Rs 568.5 crore in Q1-2014 from Rs 510.9 crore in the corresponding quarter during last fiscal.

HT Media?s radio business revenue which contributes less than four per cent to the overall revenues grew at a slightly lower rate of 15 per cent to Rs 21.4 crore in Q1-2014 as compared to Rs 18.5 crore in Q1-2013.

The company spent 18 per cent more towards other expenses at Rs 181.8 crore in Q1-2014 as compared to the Rs 153.7 crore in Q1-2013 on account of increase in advertising and sales promotions expenses.

Lets take a look at its Q1 2013-14 figures

HT Media?s total revenues for Q1-2014 were up 11 per cent at Rs 568.5 crore from Rs 510.9 crore in Q1-2013 on account of a 10 per cent increase in advertising revenues of print segment to Rs 409.5 crore (Q1-2014) from Rs 372.5 crore (Q1-2013). The growth was primarily driven by an increase in advertising volumes; 16 per cent increase in circulation revenues of print segment to Rs 60.8 crore (Q1-2014) from Rs 52.5 crore (Q1-2013) driven by increase in realisation per copy; 15 per cent increase in radio revenues to Rs 21.4 crore (Q1-2014) from Rs 18.6 crore in Q1-2013.

The company says that EBITDA for Q1-2014 was higher by 20 per cent to Rs 105.5 crore from Rs 87.8 crore in Q1-2013, primarily driven by: Growth in advertising and circulation revenues; a three per cent decline in cost of raw materials to Rs 171.5 crore in Q1-2014 from Rs 176.2 crore in Q1-2013 due to decrease in newsprint consumption. As mentioned above, overall PAT was higher by 17 per cent at Rs 47.5 crore from Rs 40.7 crore.

HT Media?s says that its digital business reported buoyant performance for Q1 -2014 with a 41 per cent increase in revenues to Rs 17.1 crore from Rs 12.1 crore in Q1-2013.

The company revealed that its growth in numbers was partially offset by an 18 per cent increase in other expenses to Rs 181.8 crore in Q1-2014 from Rs 153.7 crore (Q1-2013) on account of increase in advertising and sales promotions expenses and a 15 per cent increase in employee cost at Rs 105.5 crore up from Rs 91.6 crore.

HT Media chairperson and editorial director Shobhana Bhartia said, "While the overall economic environment continues to be subdued, what has worked for us is our diversification strategy. We continue to effectively build brand salience in Mumbai and our Hindi business is sustaining a healthy pace of growth led by Uttar Pradesh. Our digital and radio businesses continue to gain traction and deliver robust growth."

"Overall, we remain optimistic on the medium-term outlook for HTML and will deliver sustainable growth and profitability for our stakeholders as the economic environment improves," she added.

MUMBAI: HT Media?s FM radio broadcast and entertainment business has posted a profit of Rs 26.6 million before tax and interest for the third quarter ending 31 December compared to a loss of Rs 9.4 million in the same quarter last fiscal.

Revenue from radio segment jumped to Rs 213.5 million from Rs 172.7 million.

The company narrowed its loss from digital business to Rs 88.6 million from Rs 93.4 million in the previous fiscal. The company reported 18 per cent increase in revenues to Rs 138 million from Rs 117 million.

HT Media, which publishes Hindustan Times, has seen its profit from printing and publishing before tax and interest grow to Rs 837.8 million from Rs 790.7 million. Revenue from the segment has increased to Rs 5.1 billion from Rs 4.96 billion.

Net profit grew higher by 11 per cent to Rs 561 million from Rs 480.6 million. Total Income for the quarter rose 5 per cent to Rs 5.4 billion from Rs 5.2 billion.

Advertising growth during the quarter remained flat with a 2 per cent increase in advertising revenues of print segment to Rs 4.1 billion from Rs 4.0 billion primarily due to higher volumes.

Circulation revenue grew 12 per cent to Rs 565 million from Rs 503 million driven by higher circulation and realisation per copy.

Expenditure during the quarter grew to Rs 4.59 billion from Rs 4.46 billion. Consumption of raw materials declined to Rs 1.8 billion from Rs 1.86 billion due to lower consumption. Employee cost grew to Rs. 980 million from Rs. 936 million.

HT Media Chairperson and Editorial Director Shobhana Bhartia, ?We are pleased to report strong financial and operational performance this quarter. Our overall growth in revenue, combined with a persistent focus on cost optimisation, has resulted in a healthy improvement in profitability.

"This has been backed by the latest India Readership Survey, which has yet again confirmed our strong brand salience amongst English and Hindi dailies. We continue to expand our readership base in Mumbai and UP, and have retained our leadership positions in Delhi, Bihar and Jharkhand.

"In addition, our radio and digital businesses continue to deliver robust growth according to plans. We are confident that our strong and resilient business model, established brands and sustained focus on cost reduction will continue to create value and show even better results as the macro economic environment improves.?

The company has net cash of Rs 6 billion which is capable of supporting investments in growing businesses whilst exploring new opportunities.